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Wednesday, April 21, 2021

Tasha's Kitchen - Wired and Ready!

It's truly a delightful feeling when you finish something complicated! At first, the task seems overwhelming. There are so many things to be done, so much could go wrong! And yet, step by step you go forward, slowly making progress until, finally, success! I'll start with a photo of Tasha's Kitchen with the lights and roof on. That was a big part of this week's goal, and in spite of a major setback to one aspect of my plan, this part came to pass wonderfully!

Lighting Success!

To get to this milestone moment, there was a lot of chicken or egg decisions to be considered. The plan was to have all of the wiring meet together under the house in the crawl space, then be joined together to a plug receptacle positioned to be accessed in the back of the room box.

Cabinet, under cabinet and fridge light wires.



Cabinet & Fan Light Wires

Receptacle Plug

All of the can lights and the three pendant lights had the wiring running up through the roof. Before they could be joined to the others in the hub, the roofing had to be finished and then the roof attached to the room box. All nine wires were consolidated into two strands which ran through a hole drilled between where the fascia board and back room box wall would be.

Can Light and Pendant Light Wires

Consolidated Wires Coming Thru Holes Between Fascia And Back Wall

Ceiling Wires All Tidied Up And Taped Down

Here's a photo of what the hub looks like after all the wires had been run, spliced and joined to the plug receptacle wire.


With the ceiling lights tidyied up, I was able to start the roofing. The kit came with strips of shingles that were made out of some very nice wood. This kit has been such a treasure and so enjoyable to work on! I was two strips short - the instructions said there should have been 30 and I only had 28. Luckily, because of the skylights, I ended up with 1-1/2 extra strips! The kit also included the ridge cap.


I applied the strips with hot glue. Some of you might gasp, but today's hot glue formulas are not the stuff of dollhouse horror stories from the 80's and 90's. Modern hot glue has a lot more holding power, and unless you are going to lift a dollhouse by it's shingles, it works amazingly well for dollhouse roofing. Your shingles will likely break before the hot glue fails. It makes shingle application so fast, as there is virtually no drying time. Other benefits are that it does not curl the wood, excess glue is easily removed and so staining post application is possible (unlike with many wood glues if any gets on the shingles) and there are no health risks from noxious fumes.

Once the strips were on, I painted a couple base layers in black.




To add a little asphalt texture, I mixed a small amount of regular beach sand with black paint. I applied a little to each shingle with a paint brush. The finer the sand, the finer the final texture. 



Once the shingles were finished, I was able to attach the roof and finish the wiring. I had 5 strands of wires running down the back of the room box. I drilled holes into the foundation to the crawl space where they met up at the hub.



And here you see the transformer wire plugged into the receptacle where it sits in the foundation.


It was such a joy to finish the wiring job, plug in the transformer wire, press the button for power and have every single light work as intended! Here is the inside of Tasha's Kitchen lit up and ready for her to begin "cooking"! Well, as soon as I put all of the cooking equipment in, of course. :O)






I did make some tremendous progress on the back panel, but the last step ended in disaster. I was truly  disheartened overnight, but realized the next morning that everything I'd done could be done again. And I learned a valuable lesson about what not to use epoxy for, in spite of YouTube recommendations.

Next week, I have optimism about how I'll share that, in spite of a major setback, the back panel came to a successful conclusion!


Have a wonderful and creative week, my friends!

xo xo,

Jodi

53 comments:

  1. Beautiful, just beautiful. I can't wait to see it all decked out with accessories. I have been using epoxy more and more lately. I have found the 5 minute stuff takes about 20min to dry, and the 1 minute stuff takes 30 seconds to dry. But, once it is dry, don't ever change your mind.
    I will anxiously await your installment on what not to use it on!

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    1. Thanks Carrie! I'm excited to get to the accessory stage, too!
      You are so right about the epoxy. If it is not EXACTLY equal quantities, or if it is chilly, or if there is humidity, or if it has not been stirred long enough it can go beyond the time specified to cure. It is a finicky business! But oh what fun when something works the way you wanted! And when it doesn't, and ruins your hard prep work, arghhhhh!

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  2. Dear Jodi, it looks incredible! You are a champion planner and mini electrician! The transformer plug in the back is genius! (Only one wire to the wall outlet!) I would only add one word of caution about the masking tape underneath the base... it gives up in about a year! I would add an overlayer of cardstock or cardboard to guarantee those wires aren't all "dangling" after a year or so! (I know this because I have projects "temporarily" on hold and the tape is letting go after my "temporarily" becomes a year or two! LOL) I am sure you will find the right solution for the set-back on the back side of the kitchen... you are great at finding the way! Meanwhile, just being able to see those lights on in that gorgeous room with that beautiful ceiling and blue cabinets is a Dream come true! Keep up the wonderful work! :):):)

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    1. Thanks Betsy! And thank you about the tape warning! I am still considering a base, but may just leave the bottom open with felt feet. If I do, I will definitely secure the wiring with a better method! My temporary methods seem to sit around for a lot longer than I intend, too!

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  3. Your work is always exquisite. Wiring is quite a process and so intimidating; I don't know how you do it all--and it works. The shingles with this kit look to be more substantial than the ones that I hot glued on the Bellingham. I'm still not sold on hot glue; perhaps it's the brand I'm buying. Tasha will certainly be pleased with her new kitchen.

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    1. Thanks Ann! It is quite a job and the concentration and organization it takes, especially with positive and negative bulbs, is tremendous! That's why it is such a thrill (and a surprise) when it all goes well the first time, lol! The shingles were really substantial, and were cut with a bevel! I am using this hot glue brand and love it:

      https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01H479LXS/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

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  4. Jodi, que trabajo tan excelente has hecho con la electrificación! La cocina se ve increíble, es auténtica y realista, tu trabajo siempre está tan bien planificado y minucioso que es un verdadero placer ver cada avance!
    Las tejas son preciosas y con la arena mezclada con la pintura, agregas más interés sobre ellas.
    Estoy segura que lograrás colocar el panel trasero tal y como deseas! Estaré aquí esperando a verlo.
    Besos.

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    1. ¡Gracias Pilar! Es un alivio tener la iluminación completa y espero que mi segundo intento con el panel trasero sea incluso mejor que el primero. ¡Sin embargo, no más sellado epoxi de madera para mí! ¡¡¡Que desastre!!!

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  5. What a job you have done!!! This kitchen is magnificent, really stunning. Dear Jodi you are a PRO. Seriously, the work you have done is so professional and neat that is very impressive. Well done. That photo of the interior with all the lights on is stunning. Tasha´s kitchen is stunning.

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    1. Thanks Alex! Glad you like how the lighting turned out!

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  6. Un trabajo espectacular, es perfecto. Las luces muy bien distribuidas, has superado todos los inconvenientes que te han surgido y tus fotos son un deleite para la vista. Buen día

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    1. ¡Gracias Rosa Maria! Se siente genial estar en este punto donde todas las cosas técnicas están casi terminadas. ¡En un par de semanas puedo comenzar a hacer los toques personales divertidos y especiales para el interior!

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  7. que buen trabajo! te felicito...

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  8. What a great and inspirational work! The kitchen is amazing. Thank you so much for sharing your time and talent. I always learn something when I read your posts. Wonderful work!!!

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    1. Thanks Small Joys! I'm happy to share and hope it inspires you to make something great for yourself!

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  9. Oh it's so pretty all lit up! I love your sand and paint trick for the shingles. Definitely have to try that!

    She's going to love it so much!

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    1. Thanks Sheila! If you have some dry grout lying around that works for texture, too. I hope she likes it!

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  10. Amazing, stunning and absolutely beautiful work, Jodi, you have outdone yourself once more!! I am sure your Tasha will love this piece of artwork sooooo much, especially beacuse it's made with so much eye for detail, attention and love for her, by YOU.
    I love seeing how you did the wiring because that's something I am not familiar with, so seeing your wiring I now think it will become a disaster when I am at that point in building the farm.
    And you even have more lighting in the kitchen as I will have in the whole farmhouse. Your lights are so well placed and looks brilliant in this kitchen. Together with the lighting and the kitchen equipment this kitchen looks so very realistic, just like a RL kitchen is.
    Now I am curious what disaster has taken place on the back wall, but I'll wait and see until the next post ;o).
    Stay safe, take care, dear Jodi!
    Hugs, Ilona

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    1. Thank so much, Ilona! Oh I hope she really like it and wants to play! Then it will be a home run!
      Your wiring and lighting for the farm is going to be like everything else you take on; ingenious, authentic, well planned and marvelous! The first hundred times are always fraught with worry. Take it from me being only on # 25, lol!
      There was no mitigation for my disaster, so all that could be done was to start over. I am about half way done with try #2 but it's hard to work when all your fingers are crossed! :O)

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  11. Tasha’s kitchen is outstanding. Wiring is like magic – done well, nothing shows but the lights. Thanks for showing us the part that doesn’t show. I love that it will be interactive, Tasha will be able to tailor the details to her own preferences.

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    1. Thanks Sherrill! Tasha's fiancé Brent is an electrical engineer (and programming wizard) and he is hard to impress, lol! I hope my hidden wiring will at least peek his curiosity! He told me in February that he has a circuit board for me and wants to teach me how to program lights for a build. That is exciting and something to look forward to one day when he is not so demanded upon at work.

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  12. So amazing and the colors are great. You do a wonderful job. So talented.

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    1. Thanks Stephanie! This is the time in a project where you get to see if all your visions and plans will actually work together. I have looked at the project so much I am afraid that I am losing perspective. I just hope it's what Tasha had in mind for a great place to make amazing meals in!

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  13. ¡Es precioso! Una maravillosa escena tanto interior como exterior.
    El trabajo de iluminación muy bueno. Ya casi no queda nada para finalizarlo.
    Las tejas dan una bonita terminación al tejado.

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    1. ¡Gracias Isabel! Tiene razón: la construcción está casi terminada y ahora puedo centrar mi atención en hacer y amueblar el interior. Esperaba tener un par de meses hasta su cumpleaños para poder intentar hacer algunos alimentos y accesorios de cocina para que ella jugara. ¡Dedos cruzados!

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  14. What a fantastic kitchen. If this is Jodi's dream for her real life kitchen she will be one lucky lady if she can bring it to fruition! And, as usual, it has been put together to perfection. So inspiring, Jodi! - Marilyn D.

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    1. Thanks Marilyn! Tasha and Brent have been looking for a house (and been pre-approved) for a year now, but our market here is insane. Bidding wars are pushing home prices well over asking in the neighborhood they want to live in in Tacoma. Because her dad and my brother Mike are excellent contractors, she wants to buy a fixer and then make it into their dream house. So yes - eventually she will get to have her dream kitchen. The where and when are the variables.

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  15. I think you must have the patience of a Saint, but what a wonderful result Jodi! It's a beautiful kitchen and one I would give my right leg for, my kitchen is stuffed!
    Big hugs,
    X

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    1. Thanks X! I have been slowly building my patience muscles over the years because I used to have very little ones! Because this is for Tasha I want to do my very best work for her. I also have to try to live in the frame of mind that all things are good and have silver linings, if we just choose to see them that way. So mistakes are just excellent opportunities to learn and gratitude for having the materials for a second try is imperative!

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  16. The kitchen is marvelous! Nothing makes magic like lights that really light up. It all looks very neatly done too. Sorry that you had a hiccup right at the end. I look forward to reading about it and how you fixed it.

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    1. Thanks Megan! I am still in pursuit of the perfect hued LED lights. I find the warm ones too yellow and the cool ones too ultraviolet. So even with the addition of white acrylic and mod podge on the bulbs, they still read a little off to me. But... it's the best I could do. When I post next you'll see what I learned about the mishap; it was all meant to be!

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  17. Es tan hermosa, y el cableado ha quedado fantástico !!!!!!

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    1. ¡Gracias Eloisa! Si tan solo hubiera luces verdaderamente blancas para las miniaturas. ¡Todavía estoy a la caza de ellos!

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  18. Me encanta la lumminosidad que tiene la escena.
    Has dispuesto todas las bombillas con gran acierto.
    Las lamparas son maravillosas.
    ¿Que le falta a la escena?¿Comida?
    Un saludo

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    1. ¡Thaanks Marian! ¡¡¡Sí!!! ¡Mucha comida y muchos accesorios de cocina divertidos! ¡Con suerte, a principios de mayo, ahí es donde puede ir mi atención!

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  19. What a wonderful post! ;O) But I must admit during the first sentences I had for a moment the impression you were talking of me... I have cleaned and tidied and freed my work desk this week and in the beginning I was totally overwhelmed by that task and in the end I was happy being reminded that my table top is white! *LOL* But unlike you who have a wonderful, stunning, awesome, terrific and most of all beautiful result after facing your tasks I have to face that a) this will only be temporary because I always manage to store piles of "could become a"- or "someday I will turn this into" and not to forget "this would make a great"-pieces next to my work in progress. And b) I know for sure that I will spend loads of time searching for things knowing well where there had been in my piles at my work desk but not where I put them now. *LOL*

    But now in all honesty - your latest progress is once more amazing! The wiring was made by a pro - and the kitchen with the lights on is simply magic! Tasha will be so happy - remember to have the tissues at hand! *wink* And I also love the roof, so great that the kit came along with such good pieces you could use. And I really like the sand trick - I need to keep that in mind. But I'm sorry to hear about your epoxy trouble - well, I'm sure your coming along with a glorious backside next week. ;O) Have fun!

    Hugs
    Birgit

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    1. Thank you dear Birgit! I can wholeheartedly agree that getting the work space tidied up makes you feel the excitement of infinite possibilities! And seeing the surface of our tables gives us a good (albeit short lived) sense of accomplishment! I'd like to point out the positive aspects of your thoughts about the piles you are saving; At least when you save things you already have a pretty good idea of what they can be in the future! A lot of us hang on to the stuff thinking we might eventually think of a good use for it, someday, with no clue yet what it might become! See? You are already ahead of the rest of us! :O)

      It really was a thrilling relief when the lights worked! I test them many times in the process but at some point they generally sit for months while I work on other tasks. I am never quite confident that in the final test, once all of the wires have been consolidated and access is pretty well impossible, that they will work. So when they do... Huge Relief!!! They are still not quite as true a clear, bright white as I had hoped adding the white acrylic and mod podge, but they are an improvement from ultraviolet, anyway. The search for a perfect hue LED bulb continues...

      I am glad that you will try the sand trick! It works quite nicely for other texture effects, too! Off I go to continue working on back panel attempt #2. Have a great week and have fun messing up your clean work space!

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  20. The roof is fantastic and the lights are perfect. Tasha's kitchen is stunning. Thanks for sharing the various steps in the construction; you'are very talented.

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    1. Thanks Faby! Glad you like how the roof turned out!

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  21. This looks amazing. I love the lights and how you hid the wires. I really like the wine frig and how it lights up. I see a few things I would like to barrow for my next project.

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    1. Hi Evette! It's so great to see you here and to see that you started to blog about the purple house! I am adding you to my blog roll so I'll never miss a post, and I can't wait to catch up on all the posts and photos on your blog!

      And - you do wonders when you get inspired so borrow away! But please share your work, too! :O)

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  22. Dear Jodi,

    The back panel aside this dream kitchen for tasha is a dream no more. The result with or without the lights on is stunning!

    I love how all the elements, materials and colours come together to forum a kitchen many can dream of.

    And to me you are very brave as well. I am looking for all kind of excuses to not have to use electricity at all in my roomboxes for Huis ter Swinnendael. 🤔

    But noone can deny the stunning effect of the lighting in this kitchen.

    I hope that plan B for the backpanel will work as intended.

    Huibrecht

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    1. Thanks Huibrecht! It gives me confidence to know you are liking Tasha's Kitchen! I am getting more nervous the closer it gets to her birthday!

      As for wiring Huis ter Swinnendael... I can share from experience that if you don't do it you will regret it. I did not electrify the Storybook Cottage and have since retrofitted it with all battery lights. Having to reach in and turn them on one by one is not ideal, and they really are quite expensive. As your friend, I am telling you to research as much as possible for the right electrical system and then just do it. You are such a talented artisan that the only thing hard to conquer here is your fear. 💗

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  23. Amazing!!!! Tasha's kitchen is lovely and so impressive!! Am sure she is going to love every inch of it.You never seem to amaze me with all of the wonderful work that you make. You are truly talented.
    Mini huggs,
    Conny

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    1. Thanks Conny! My nervousness grows as her birthday gets closer and I am closer to completing the project! The only thing for nerves is to delve into making minis - I expect I'll be making a lot of accessories between now and the Big Day!

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  24. The kitchen has become beautiful! I like the color very much, and the lamps, the roof all very beautiful, I also like to see how you neatly conceal all the wires, it looks perfect!

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    1. Thanks Gonda! It was fun to use all LEDs this time! Glad you like the progress!

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  25. You are a brilliant artist Jodi. Your kitchen is wonderful.

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